• Fertiliser companies would be able to supply required fertiliser quantities if banks released dollars

The Prime Minister who held discussions with representatives from the agriculture sector to discuss the pending food shortage in the country has informed them that US $ 600 million is needed to make adequate stocks of fertilizer available in the country, the Prime Minister’s office said yesterday.  

During the discussions the Prime Minister stated that US $600m would be required to ensure adequate supply of fertiliser. The officials then informed that the fertiliser companies would be able to supply the required fertiliser quantities if the banks released the dollars.  

The Prime Minister also said that he would be presenting in Parliament, the Essential Agriculture Supplies Act, which would ensure an uninterrupted supply and distribution of agricultural materials.   

The Prime Minister stated that due to the war in Ukraine the world was facing a wheat and fertiliser shortage. He explained that as the shortages increase, Sri Lanka’s food supplies would worsen unless remedial action was taken immediately. The Prime Minister instructed the officials to identify under-utilized land in the urban areas which could be cultivated. He said that the situation the country was dire and required a combined effort if we were to overcome it. 

• Officials instructed to identify under-utilized land in the urban areas which could be cultivated